Funeral service for Edmund Douglas “Doug” Hinkle, 84, will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, September 6, 2024 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Wheatland with Bishop Jacob Lee presiding. Intermit will be held at the Wheatland Cemetery in Wheatland.
Doug Hinkle passed away on Monday, August 19, 2024, at the Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County surrounded by family after suffering complications from pneumonia.
Doug was born on December 11, 1939, in Akron, Ohio, the son of Eula Virginia Betteridge and Clarence Arden Hinkle. He was an only child. He graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High School in Ohio in 1957.
He loved school and learning and attended multiple universities. He achieved a Bachelor of Arts from Bowling Green State University, a Master of Arts from the University of Nebraska, and a Master of Library Science from the University of Arizona. Subsequently he worked in the department of geography at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and was an affiliate instructor of Spanish, ESL, and Geography at University of New Mexico-Gallup, Northland Pioneer College of Arizona, Eastern Wyoming College, and Western Wyoming Community College.
From 1964-66, Doug served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Argentina. He loved Latin culture and the Spanish language and taught many Spanish classes throughout his life.
After a brief three-month courtship, he married Joyce Wallace in the Manti Utah Temple in 1967. They had one daughter, Margaret Virginia René.
Two of Doug’s favorite things were people and books, and he filled his life with both. He was a school librarian for 37 years, 24 of which were spent at Wheatland High School in Wheatland, Wyoming until he retired in 2012. Retirement did not, however, keep him from frequenting as a substitute teacher! Doug also loved music. He played the trombone and looked forward to singing in the church choir.
He had a special kind of friendliness that extended to everyone he met. Students and staff alike would often seek out the library because they knew Doug would be there to offer a friendly chat, an encouraging smile, a quirky joke, or a caring piece of advice. One never need be concerned that Doug Hinkle had forgotten them because he remembered the details of everyone’s lives. With his non-judgmental views and charitable ways, he enjoyed life and loved those around him.
At church Doug was always welcoming and incredibly kind. His faith in Jesus Christ ran deep, and he was always willing to model and share it in a kind and respectful way.
His greatest pride and joy were his three grandchildren. He enjoyed playing with them when they were little and followed all of their accomplishments and performances after they entered the school years. After Joyce’s stroke and subsequent passing in 2018, he moved to Rock Springs where he could be around his grandchildren full time. Rarely would a week go by that Doug did not openly express how proud he was of his family and how excited he was to see what was in store for the future of his grandchildren. His life was based on the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, service to others, and the importance of family relationships. He will be dearly missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Virginia and Clarence “Maj”, and his wife, Joyce.
He is survived by his daughter, René Riddle; son-in-law, Nathan Riddle; and grandchildren, Austin, Skyler, and Evelyn.
The Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland are in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com
